Tractor Trailer Wheel Chock Regulations

Written by timber ferguson

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Wheels must be chocked to prevent movement while loading. (semi trailer image by max blain from Fotolia.com)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require a driver to set the brake and chock the wheels when a tractor trailer parks for loading or unloading. The Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ,determine when wheel chocks improve safety.

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Wheel Chocks

When a forklift is driven into a trailer backed to a dock, the rear trailer wheels will have chocks placed in front of them. Chocks prevent movement of the trailer away from the edge of the dock.

Loading and unloading trailers can be dangerous. (truck image by max blain from Fotolia.com)

Trucks and Trailers

Trucks made after March 1, 1975 and trailers made after January 1, 1975 that have air brakes must have parking brakes capable of holding the vehicle in place when it is being loaded or unloaded in areas equal to what is found in public streets.

Trailers brakes have to be able to hold the vehicle in place. (derelict tractor trailers in a row image by Bo Widerberg from Fotolia.com)

Exceptions

Pulpwood trailers, agricultural commodity trailers and heavy hauler trailers are required to only have the brake system required at the time they were made.

Some trailers operate under different regulations. (Log semi truck image by max blain from Fotolia.com)